What's on in Isfahan (Esfahan), Iran through the year

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Ramadan

  25 Jan – 25 Mar · usuallyClosures

  The bazaar teahouses shut through the day and eating in public is not an option; the square comes back to life after sunset and stays busy very late. Monuments keep shorter hours. Source ↗

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Ramadan (25 Jan – 25 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Nowruz

• Nature

  Water in the Zayanderud

  15 Mar – 15 May · usuallyHigh water

  The river is dry most of the year and the authorities release water from the dam for a few weeks, usually in spring for the farmers downstream, though releases have become erratic in drought years. When it runs, the arches of Si-o-se-pol reflect and the city goes down to the bank in the evening. Source ↗

• Holiday

  Nowruz

  18 Mar – 5 Apr · usuallyNational holidayCrowdedClosuresBook early

  Iranians travel and Isfahan is where a large share of them go: the square, the bridges and the Armenian quarter are packed, hotels are booked out and some offices and museums close. Source ↗

Still on: Ramadan (25 Jan – 25 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, Nowruz

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Water in the Zayanderud (15 Mar – 15 May (usually)), Nowruz (18 Mar – 5 Apr (usually))

Busy — Muharram and Ashura, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Muharram and Ashura

  25 May – 10 Jul · usuallyMuharram & AshuraClosures

  Black banners across the bazaar, street kitchens giving out food and processions after dark, ending on Ashura when almost everything closes. Music venues are shut for the whole ten days. Source ↗

Still on: Water in the Zayanderud (15 Mar – 15 May (usually))

Busy — Muharram and Ashura, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  The dry summer

  10 Jun – 5 Sep · usuallyExtreme heat

  Dry rather than sticky, but the square is unshaded and unusable in the middle of the day. Everything shifts to the bazaar's vaulted lanes until the light goes soft in the late afternoon.

Still on: Muharram and Ashura (25 May – 10 Jul (usually))

Busy — Muharram and Ashura, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Muharram and Ashura (25 May – 10 Jul (usually)), The dry summer (10 Jun – 5 Sep (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: The dry summer (10 Jun – 5 Sep (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: The dry summer (10 Jun – 5 Sep (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in November.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Festival

  Yalda night

  19–22 DecMajor festival

  The longest night is spent indoors with family, pomegranates and poetry. Nothing shuts, but the city is at home rather than out, and a guesthouse invitation is the way to see it. Source ↗